PPG Notes
Ways of delivering medical services, both in
hospital medicine and in general practice, are
continually evolving, and thus is the case with
the Botley Medical Practice.
In the Summer 2017 edition of this parish
magazine, Botley PPG reported on the work
of Marie Lloyd, Advanced Nurse Prescriber, in
the Botley Practice. We now report on the
work of S. Khurram Zahid, appointed as a
diagnostic physiotherapist though in reality his
role is much wider than this. I interviewed him
at the Kennington surgery in early September
2017 to find out more about his work in the
practice. S. Khurram Zahid, Diagnostic Physiotherapist
Having physiotherapists working in primary care is a recent development
nationally, and a completely new development locally. Khurram was
appointed in April 2017 and now works two days a week in the practice,
Mondays at the Kennington surgery and Wednesdays at Botley. His
hours, somewhat unusual, are 7.00 am to 2.00 pm. He tells me that his
7.00 am slots are always filled; clearly early morning appointments suit
some people who are in employment. All his appointments are for 30
minutes, which allows him time to make a full assessment of a patient’s
condition, arrange tests as appropriate, offer advice and administer
treatments (notably injections) and make an onward referral if necessary.
A physiotherapist working independently in primary care as Khurram is
described as an ‘Extended Scope Practitioner’ (ESP). Most
physiotherapists working as ESPs work in secondary care (hospital
practice) notably with surgeons, rheumatologists or neuro-surgeons. To
be recognised as an ESP, a physiotherapist needs to have had a
minimum of 5 years’ experience, particularly in musculo-skeletal
medicine, and to have had special training, for example in the
administration of injections, including ultrasound-guided injections.
Continuing professional development (CPD) keeps them up to date.
Khurram sees his primary role as the assessment of patients with
musculo-skeletal disorders, both acute and long-term. He has the
authority to refer patients for blood tests, X-Rays, ultrasounds and MRI
scans and the further authority to refer patients to specialists, such as
orthopaedic surgeons or rheumatologists, or to other physiotherapist
colleagues for ongoing treatment.